Why not a Ford?

[jamesadams]

My Dad gave me a 84 cougar with a 3.8 auto overdrive. I have been considering a later powerplant. If it was a Mopar,i would be all over it. If it was a Chevy, i would use it. Why does most, including myself, balk on a Ford? We use Mustang 2 frontends, 9-inch rearends,why not engines? I know this a good engine, and the trans has less than 10,000 on a professional rebuild. Thoughts?

[greg g]

Conventional wisdom is that Ford motors are to long to fit in a lot of places T 30 INCHES.

[jamesadams]

I have not taken any measurements,but that might be a breaking point. It does not seem like its that long. He also gave me a 250 straight 6 chevy. This was after water showed up on the dipstick of the 218.

[Bob_Koch]

84 Courgar, so is that a V8, 351 Windsor Engine? They were nice engines. Or we talking 6 cylinder? As stated, take measurements.

[greg g]

What is it going in??? You did't ID your vehicle.

[jamesadams]

48 B1B, 3.8 v6.

[NiftyFifty]

48 B1B, 3.8 v6.

Distb front or back on that engine? If at the back I would say you would be into a firewall cut, and if that's the case why bother with a small power plant when you can go to a SB 350 chev and have all the parts you could ever need at 1/2 the price, including if you want to start looking into performance parts....

You already have to make a Y pipe or dual the truck and a pile of other mods...so I can see why almost all v6's aren't the first choice and a ford..well..I don't recall those being a great motor to begin with..compared to a 4.3L chev or even a 2.8 chev which IMO would be better choices

[jamesadams]

Front dist., duals no problem,the early ones seem to be dependable,the later have head gasket problems.Do not plan to hot rod,and the price is FREE.Just reviewing my options. Would love to have a hot flattie, but parts, expense, and rarity,(in these parts) are keeping it off the list.

[NiftyFifty]

Front dist., duals no problem,the early ones seem to be dependable,the later have head gasket problems.Do not plan to hot rod,and the price is FREE.Just reviewing my options. Would love to have a hot flattie, but parts, expense, and rarity,(in these parts) are keeping it off the list.

Free is alright, but just because the engine runs good doesn't mean that it doesn't need a rebuild or a refresh, in which case the job price keeps going up...don't forget you need a new driveshaft as well, and your rear diff will likely still hum pretty high with the OD tranny unless you swap that as well

[Flatie46]

Could you just sell it and use the money to fix the 218?

[jamesadams]

Could you just sell it and use the money to fix the 218?

The car would not bring much in its present condition, I have swapped a lot of engines over the years,can do a little fabricating,have acess to a couple of good machine shops. I just am wondering why there is a stigma attached to ford engines.I am gonna measure it and the straight six this weekend,store the info and study on it,because its gonna be awhile before engine time!

[PatS....]

The only stigma that really matters is the stigma that you give it. Go for it...it's not like installing it will ruin anything permanently...if you don't like it, try another down the road.

In the meantime, it's up and running for little cost.

Go for it if it fits and you have the expertise to do it right.

[Dave72dt]

3.8 calculates out to about 228 cubic inches. 5.8 = the 351. Ford stygma had a lot to do with the really long nosed water pump that was that for years was the only option for the SB. I have to think the oil filter location may have also come into play. Oilpan design and crossmembers may also have come into play. On the plus side, the distibutors were up front on the SB.

I have no problem with the use of the 3.8. At least you don't have the problem with the starter and steering box wanting to use the same space.

[4852dodge]

If you have a good modern driveline , use it. You have the good fortune to have a complete parts car to pull the needed electronics and wiring from. There should be more than enough room under the truck hood and fenders to make it work. The only stigma is the one you make. It's your truck, do it your way with what you have and enjoy. The v6 should have more than enough power to move the truck along.

[NiftyFifty]

Why not sell the whole car and buy what you really want under the hood? If you want more original parts, look for an industrial engine from a massey combine...I'm getting a 251 from a massey 90 combine, just switch over my 218 parts and go..

[jamesadams]

I am looking for a better original driveline,just looking over my options. I like the idea of getting it up and running. Now that we have covered the ford, any thoughts on the straight six chevy?

[greg g]

longer still.

[Young Ed]

The 250 6cyl chevy is worse or equal to the technology of the 218 with the exception of overhead valves. Go for the ford v6 or find another v6 or v8. Personally I'd be looking for a 3.9 v6 dakota donor.

[NiftyFifty]

The 250 6cyl chevy is worse or equal to the technology of the 218 with the exception of overhead valves. Go for the ford v6 or find another v6 or v8. Personally I'd be looking for a 3.9 v6 dakota donor.

What about a 4.1? Jeep engine? or is it 4.8? The straight 6 carbed version...I was pondering one last year when my motor crapped out..but with all the changes it wasn't worth the little bit of power difference

[jamesadams]

I have a Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0. Good engine but its awful long.

[Dave72dt]

That's the problem with most swaps in these trucks. The 218 is such a short, compact engine that putting anything else in usually means firewall modification or moving the radiator forward. V6 might solve both problems.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Dave72dt
spelling, word spacing

[greg g]

Jeep engine is 33 + inches long.

[NiftyFifty]

Engine swaps are a great idea if your looking for more power or a more reliable ride, but going from manual to auto also means losing your support bracket for you brake/clutch pedal, which means more fab to get your brake pedal back in working shape and in the right spot to the master....

So before you start remember all the different taskes:

motor mounts, trans mount

driveshaft

brake pedal

shifter for auto trans

trans cooler

radiator possibly not compatible or to capacity

engine starter

y pipe or dual exh

Just putting it out there that you need to remember all these plus probably other mods to go to another engine...that's why I'm going back to semi-stock....ease of use and install and although you have a free powertrain, your looking at major $'s for install

[Plymouthy Adams]

I personally like the V6....and am actively combing the local area for another donor vehicle for the next project..face it..there is going to be little need to operate a V8 in the coming days....this one: 3.9V6 MPFI, 185HP, 3 inch factory exhaust, 4 speed OD with 2.94 rear gears and aluminum 15's..hoping to be an overall decent grocery getter..

[NiftyFifty]

I personally like the V6....and am actively combing the local area for another donor vehicle for the next project..face it..there is going to be little need to operate a V8 in the coming days....this one: 3.9V6 MPFI, 185HP, 3 inch factory exhaust, 4 speed OD with 2.94 rear gears and aluminum 15's..hoping to be an overall decent grocery getter..

You on a Dakota frame correct? I'm guessing james wants to keep original frame...I think if I went V8 it would be just swapped to a Dakota 318 frame...but I prefer to keep this this old and slow...when it's V8 time I will be in the market for a car...maybe a land yacht like a New Yorker...